By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic
Photographer: COURTESY PHOTO
Dominican Sister Marilín Llanes professes first vows to Sister Attracta Kelly, prioress. Looking on, from left, are Sisters Mary Jane Lubinski, Rosa Monique Pena, and Marilyn Barnett.
Photographer: COURTESY PHOTO
Marilín Llanes, a Barry University graduate who grew up in the Miami area, professed first vows with the Adrian Dominican Sisters April 10 in St. Catherine Chapel at the Sisters' Motherhouse in Adrian, Michigan.
Adrian, Michigan | Marilín Llanes, a Barry University graduate who grew up in the Miami area, professed first vows with the Adrian Dominican Sisters.
The liturgy – attended by Adrian Dominican Sisters and Associates and Sister Marilín’s family members and friends – took place April 10 in St. Catherine Chapel at the Adrian Dominican Sisters Motherhouse in Adrian, Michigan. Jesuit Father James Hug, priest chaplain at the Motherhouse, and Dominican Father Thomas Saucier presided.
During the Rite of Profession, Sister Attracta Kelly, prioress of the Congregation, formally questioned Sister Marilín on her willingness to “unite (herself) more closely to God by a bond of religious profession,” live a life of charity, and “center (her) ministerial activity in contemplation.” Sister Marilín then stated her intent to “enter into a deeper commitment with my loving God and my dear Adrian Dominican Sisters” and invited the Holy Spirit to “create in me a clear, open, strong, full, and joy-filled heart.”
After lying prostrate during the singing of the Litany of Dominican Saints, Sister Marilín professed her vow, promising obedience to God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Dominic, and Sister Attracta and her lawful successors, “according to the Rule of St. Augustine and the Constitution of the Sisters of St. Dominic of the Congregation of the Most Holy Rosary.”
The rite continued with the presentation of the congregation logo to Sister Marilín and the signing of the profession documents by Sister Marilín, Sister Attracta, and Sister Marilín’s two witnesses: Sisters Mary Jane Lubinski and Rosa Monique Peṅa.
A member of the Adrian Dominican Congregation from 1988 to 1995, Sister Marilín entered the discernment process for readmission Aug. 8, 2015, the feast of St. Dominic. A native of the province of La Habana in Cuba, she immigrated to the United States at the age of six with her parents, Nancy and Ricardo Llanes.
Sister Marilín grew up in the Miami area and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Barry University, sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters. She holds a master’s degree in counseling from St. Mary’s University and a graduate degree in school psychology from Trinity University, both in San Antonio, Texas.
Having served as a school psychologist in the Northside Independent School District in San Antonio, she has recently brought that ministry to the Joliet (Illinois) School District. Through the Rite of Profession, the Adrian Dominican Congregation receives the new member in mutual commitment. The temporary professed sister shares fully the life in mission of the Adrian Dominican Sisters and assumes the rights and responsibilities of a member of the congregation.
